Chandigarh Tourism

"India's first planned city" Chandigarh Tourism Chandigarh, a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab as well as Haryana is a subtle and ideal definition of the word 'city'. In a culture that includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as a modernity, Chandigarh is a pretty town resembling a morning dream which is sure to flatter you with its innocence and pleasantness. Any tour of Chandigarh needs to begin with the beautiful Sukhna Lake. A huge water body that is entirely manmade, Sukhna Lake is nestled amidst the foothills of the Shivaliks and is one of the best places you can go to wind down and relax. You can go for a boat or shikara ride at the lake, or just take a relaxing walk on the jogging track, where you will often find yourself joined by locals of the city. Chandigarh has quite a few places for nature lovers to visit, including the Rock Garden, and the Leisure Valley & Rose Garden. Chandigarh's Rock Garden is very well known for having been designed completely out of discarded industrial and urban waste. Leisure Valley is an 8-kilometre-long well-maintained park which houses Asia's largest rose garden, a very popular draw among tourists and locals alike. One of the most famous places to visit in Chandigarh is the Capitol complex, which is also often referred to as Le Corbusier Centre. This complex is the epitome of refined architecture, and while it was earlier used as Le Corbusier?s base, the place has now been converted into a museum, and tourists are free to visit it. The Capitol is also home to the state?s Vidhan Sabha, High Court, and Secretariat. Download Chandigarh PDF Guide > What's Great? First planned city in the country. The starting point for all hill stations in North India. Lots of open spaces. Less pollution. What's not so Great? Slow pace of life. A little expensive. For Whom Great for people looking for respite and a laid-back weekend. Makes the best destination for long drives with dhabas all over the highway. Ideal pit-stop for people looking for a stop-over on their holiday to the hills above. Art and history lovers will be in for a treat at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, which is home to some remarkable pieces of artwork and creations that have been preserved through the ages. Coins and paintings from ancient eras and antique pieces from the Indus Valley Civilization are also on display here.

History of Chandigarh Chandigarh, as we know it today, is one of the most thriving and cosmopolitan cities in India. With a highly integrated ancient and modern history, the city owes its name to Chandi temple and the adjacent fort. The word 'Chandi' is derived from the name of a Hindu goddess whereas the later 'Garh' means fort. Located in the foothills of the Shivalik range of Himalaya, it can mostly thank its colonial history for the rich blend of cultures and its unique identity today. Thousands of years ago during the antediluvian age, the city was covered by a large water body which was proven by the remains of marine amphibians during the geological study. Another fascinating historical fact is the inhabitation of Harrapans, one of the oldest civilization in the world. Traces of their existence found during some of the excavation work done during the 1960s. The modern history of Chandigarh has its roots down in 1947 when the former province under British rule was split into east and west Punjab. After the partition, Indian Punjab needed a new capital for its function which led to the carving out of this city. Glimpses of this historical moment are still visible in villages of Burial and Attawa where non-sectoral villages carry on their ancient traditions. Chandigarh - A Planned City Most planned cities aren't designed for their aesthetic view from the space. Creating incredible patterns on landscapes most often a necessity, laid out all at once and probably built from scratch. During the time of partition in 1947, the emergence of two new countries led to the division of Chandigarh. Lahore, the former capital of Punjab shifted to Pakistan leaving the Indian Punjab capital less. The aim was not only to create a capital for the state but to design a central and neutral location for the easy of its population. The layout was inspired by various elements of public support such as t maximise green space, optimise traffic flow, a bridge between residential and commercial space and cure the 'urban disease'. This project was highly valued not only because of the 'utopia' of a modernised city but also because of the special interest was taken by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The original plan was laid out by American Architect Albert Mayer, later on, joined by a French architect, Le Corbusier for the designer of several buildings in the city. He divided the entire city into sectors and also designed many administrative blocks such as Parliament house, courthouse and the most popular 'open-hand structure' which signifies "the hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind". The term 'planned city' is dedicated because of the grid pattern layout that is followed in the designing structure of the city. Named as the most 'remarkable ideal' city in the world by BBC, writer Jonathan Glancey has taken account of many aspects of the city that makes it one of the best cities to live in. According to two different surveys conducted in 2010 and 2015, the city is also marked the cleanest and happiest city in India. Also, it is the first smoke-free city in the country. Planning, architecture, neighbourhood and the exquisite combination of the traditional and modern touch has made Chandigarh the perfect city.   The City of Gardens Nothing says Gardens like Chandigarh does! There are more than half a dozen special Gardens here that are famous throughout the country. Almost everyone has heard about the infamous Rock Gardens. Artificially made with rocks, this place boasts of sculptures, figurines, artificial waterfalls and magnificent structures of dancers and musicians, made out of rocks! The Pinjore Gardens, also known as the Yadavindra Gardens is here from the times of Mughals and interestingly shows a lot of Rajasthani influenced architecture. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden has to its fame, the tag of the largest botanical (rose category) Garden in Asia that also houses a lot of medicinal herbs. The Terraced Gardens are the best loved by families, thanks to its emergence as a local picnic spot. And if you thought that was it, Chandigarh also has a Cactus Garden! It has been revered as the largest botanical (succulent category) Garden in Asia and has almost 3500 variants of cacti in its vicinity! There is also a Garden of Fragrance in Chandigarh and as the name suggests, most fragrant flowers are found here. Nightlife in Chandigarh Magnificent architecture and starlit crowds, Chandigarh is one of the most happening cities of India. While the city is much friendly in the daylight, moonlight brings out the nocturnal multitude of the city. Chandigarh is earning quite a reputation in with its clubs, bars, lounges and food taking over the night. From cheap streets to 5 stars, from velvet beer to smoky whiskey, Chandigarh is the city thriving in the wee hours. Read more aboutNightlife in Chandigarh

Itinerary Day 1-Reach Chandigarh by noon, check into the hotel, relax and have a nice, extended lunch. Visit the Sukhna Lake in the evening to watch the sunset and have tea at the CITCO cafeteria while soaking in the beauty of the place. Go for a boat ride and lose yourself into the serenity and calmness of the eerie, yet beautiful lake.Day 2-Head off to the Rock Gardens and explore the beauty of the man-made rock garden, take crazy pictures and explore the garden. Visit the various gardens the city has to offer and breathe in the clean, fresh air.Day 3-Start the day on a more lazy note and explore the local markets of Chandigarh, especially the market of Sector-17, that happens to be the favorite among locals. Sample local food and go back to the hotel room to pack up and leave by noon. Return home after a nice weekend, or head to the nearest hill station for an extended holiday.

Restaurants and Local Food in Chandigarh Chandigarh offers a rich variety of authentic Punjabi cuisine, and with eateries and restaurants at every street corner, Chandigarh boasts of a bustling food scene. The sparkling city of Chandigarh is brimming with options for food with some of the most popular and mouthwatering traditional Punjabi dishes as well as authentic and rich Continental cuisines. The town also has a number of pubs as well as a microbrewery. While in Chandigarh do try theLachha Parathas, Butter Chicken, Amritsari Kulche, Chicken Tikkas, Chole Bhature, Tandoori fish, Kebabsand countless more. Also try the sweet treasures that the city offers such as Roh di Kheer, Jalebi, Baalushahi, Gulab Jamun,Kulfiand more. Read more aboutStreet Food In Chandigarh View 10 Restaurants in Chandigarh >>

Aug-Maris the best time to visit Chandigarh Since Chandigarh is a plain area, situated at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, the best time to visit Chandigarh is between August and November, when the Fall is in its prime, and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold. There is an overall pleasant weather that is apt for traveling. However, the weather conditions change widely here, thanks to the close proximity of the city to the Himalayas. Weather in Chandigarh Loading... Chandigarh in Autumn (August-November) During all these 3 months of the year, the weather is neither too cold, nor too hot, but an intermediate of both. You can expect soothing sunny days and a little chilly night, which is perfect for sleeping in a cocoon. This is the period when most people visit Chandigarh. Chandigarh in Winter (November- February) During this time of the year, the winters are at extremity in the city. The day time, however, won't pinch a lot; but the as the night starts settling in, thick fog settles in the air and the weather becomes well par zero. Perfect for those looking for a nice chilly weather, but don't really want snow in their faces. Chandigarh in Spring (March- April) There is still a marginal level of coldness in the air and the weather is pleasant, with it being a little windy as well. The flowers in this season are at their best bloom and the plethora of Gardens that are there in the city are flocked by thousands of tourists and enthusiasts. Monthly Weather in Chandigarh Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 6 19 February 10 24 March 12 28 April 19 36 May 19 37 June 23 37 July 23 33 August 21 32 September 22 33 October 13 31 November 8 27 December 4 22

Events in Chandigarh Rose Garden Annual Festival 23th - 25th February The biggest rose festival of the country is held in Chandigarh every year in the last week of February. More than 50,000 magnificent rose plants and bushes are on view during this three day festival. Apart from the roses, there are various other folk performances which are organised to entertain you. For the kids, there is a painting competition, and titles for 'Rose Prince' and 'Rose Princess' are given out! Bougainvillea Park, Annual Festival January Hosting an endless variety of Bougainvillea plants displayed in different patterns, this park never fails to regale visitors.The Annual Festival visits a huge amount of attendance as the park is done up beautifully. Mango Festival, Pinjore Gardens 8th - 9th July Celebrating the 'King of fruits', the Mango festival is a must visit for all mango lovers. The best way to beat the Indian summers, enjoy folk dances and performances, while munching down on your favorite mangoes. Chrysanthemum Show, Terraced Gardens 10th December Rows and rows of Chrysanthemums bathed in a riot of colors are wait await you at the Terraced Garden, Chandigarh. Increasingly gaining momentum, various prizes are given out for gardening abilities.